Grand County EMS approved part‑time reinstatement for longtime billing clerk; Middle Park hospitals score highly on pediatric readiness

Grand County commissioners approved a request from Grand County EMS to allow a longtime billing and front‑office employee, Nadine Kentfield, to retire from full‑time employment and remain as a part‑time employee through event season. The board also heard that two local hospitals achieved high national pediatric readiness scores during a Colorado Pediatric Preparedness site review.

Grand County EMS chief (Can also be cited as Chief Wingate in the meeting) told commissioners that Nadine Kentfield had worked in the ambulance service’s billing office and front desk for 21 years and plans to retire on Thursday to spend time with family. She asked to stay on part‑time for event coverage because Kentfield is a certified EMT who helps cover local events. The chief said Kentfield currently receives county health benefits and intended to withdraw from the county insurance plan when her retirement benefits begin September 1. The county attorney advised that the board waive the relevant personnel manual sections to allow this exception; commissioners voted to waive the specified section(s) and approve the part‑time reinstatement without penalty.

Chief Wingate also reported that two local hospitals — Middle Park Granby and Middle Park Kremmling (as described in the site visit) — scored 97 on a national pediatric readiness program survey. The chief said national research shows scores above 87 are associated with substantially lower mortality for critically ill and injured children; a site visitor noted the EMS system’s participation in the site visits was noteworthy. Commissioners offered praise to the hospitals and EMS for collaborative work that helped earn the high scores.

The board’s votes approved the personnel manual waiver and the part‑time reinstatement for Kentfield. Commissioners also thanked the EMS chief and local hospitals for their work on pediatric readiness and noted those findings for county awareness of local medical system capabilities.